Internal rifts and growing support for smaller parties are challenging Labor’s dominance in Greater Manchester.
What should have been a routine by-election for the ruling Labor Party has instead become a test of how divided British politics is.
Voters in the Gorton and Denton constituency of Greater Manchester are set to go to the polls on February 26, following the resignation of long-serving councilor Andrew Gwynne in January.
Eleven candidates are vying for the seat. Nick Buckley (Advance UK); Charlotte Cadden (Conservative Party); Dan Clark (Libertarian Party); Matt Goodwin (Reform UK); Sebastian Moore (Social Democratic Party). Joseph Omekea (rejoined the EU party). Jackie Piercy (Liberal Democrats); Hannah Spencer (Green Party). Angeliki Stoggia (Labour Party); and Hugo Wills (Communist Union).
For years, Mr Gorton and Mr Denton were seen as Labour’s strongholds, but the party now faces a battle amid growing voter dissatisfaction and internal friction.
The run-up to the vote was dominated by a high-profile row over Labour’s selection of a new candidate, with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s bid to stand being blocked and party leaders selecting local MP Stozier to defend his seat.
Still, Labor enjoys loyal support. “[They do a] Local supporter Khaled Osman told Al Jazeera: “They did a really good job. We are rooting for them. We are grateful for all the work they do, including supporting refugees, asylum and hard working people.”
But not everyone in this diverse and relatively disadvantaged constituency feels that way.
“The sooner Labor loses power, the better,” said resident Colin Hensey, pointing to the decline in local services. “Everywhere you go, you’re now trying to get a doctor’s appointment. And this is why everyone goes to A&E.” [accident and emergency] Because I can’t get an appointment at my local surgery. Twenty or thirty years ago we never had this problem. ”
The Green Party, to the left of Labor, has positioned itself as an alternative, arguing that the ruling party is moving away from some of the values it once championed.
The far-right Reform Britain also presents itself as a voice of opposition, tough on immigration and crime, openly hostile to what it calls a broken political class, and vying for victory.
“I think Labor has let us down over the years,” said reform supporter Carl Morris. “I’ve worked in Denton for 28 years and the place is littered with rubbish. People are throwing things all over the show. Labor has contributed nothing to the town.”
Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego reported from Gorton and Denton that every vote will count in what looks like a close race later this month.
“It’s a struggle to see who gets to take out the frustrations we feel here and where it goes next,” she added.
